Overview
This trip through the Sahara Desert takes you from Marrakech to Fes in Morocco. In just three days and two nights, you will experience many incredible places, including the Dades and Todra gorges, the Ait-Ben-Haddou Kasbah, Ouarzazate city, and the Atlas Mountains. Along with Merzouga, the Sahara Desert is home to other Berber communities. Additionally, you will ride camels deep into the desert and witness the Sahara’s breathtaking dawn and sunset. You will also visit Erfoud, a fossil town, and the Rissani traditional market. Discover Ifrane, known as “Morocco’s Switzerland,” and explore the cedar forest to see the Barbary macaques in their natural habitat. The trip ends in Fes.
Highlights
At 08:00, we depart from Marrakech to Dades Valley through the High Atlas Mountains and Tizi n’Tichka Pass. Along the way, we’ll pause to admire the breathtaking landscapes and Berber settlements. Our first major stop is the iconic Ait Benhaddou Kasbah, a UNESCO World Heritage site. This historic Berber kasbah has been the backdrop for over 20 international films. Once a major fortified stop on the Old Salt Road, it was key in transporting slaves, gold, ivory, salt, and silk from Sub-Saharan Africa to Marrakech. We continue to Ouarzazate, known as the “Hollywood of Africa” due to its popularity as a filming location. Onward, we’ll pass through the Berber villages of Megoun and Skoura before reaching Dades Valley, where we will spend the night.
After breakfast, we head from Dades Gorges to Merzouga, where we’ll explore the magnificent Erg Chebbi, the largest sand dunes in the Sahara Desert. Along the way, we’ll pass Berber communities like Tinjdad, Jorf, and Erfoud, marking the beginning of Tafilalet’s Saharan oasis. Upon arriving at Merzouga, we’ll have some time to rest before meeting our camels for a memorable journey through the dunes. As the sun sets, the dunes come alive with vibrant hues, offering perfect opportunities for stunning photos. We’ll enjoy a traditional desert feast at our camp, followed by live drumming and singing. Overnight, we stay in luxurious desert tents.
On the final day, we’ll rise early and ride the camels back to Merzouga. After a refreshing shower and breakfast, we’ll begin our return journey to Fes. Our first stop is for tea with a nomadic family before we continue across the High Atlas Mountains. We’ll break for lunch in the charming alpine village of Midelt, then head towards the renowned city of Fes, where the tour concludes.
